The 5.56 X 45mm “Timeline” – 1990

A Chronology of Development by Daniel E. Watters

1990

The Weapon System Management Directorate at Rock Island Arsenal conducts a Fielded Systems Review of the M16A2. For the most part, the rifle is well received. They are complaints however about the 3 round burst feature, and the accuracy of the M855 and M856 cartridge.

The British hold additional Environmental User Trials for the SA80. Only one modification package for the IW/LSW is tested. These are known as the XL85E5 and XL86E5. Parts modified for the E5 include the following:

February:The British ITDU ends SA80 Cold Trials. The ITDU also tests a shroud for the SA80’s magazine catch.

British armorers receive an improved hold open device for retrofit to the SA80.

March:
Colt Industries finalizes its agreement to sell the Colt Firearms Division to CF Holding Company. The ownership of the renamed Colt’s Manufacturing Company will include the striking union employees, current Colt management, and the state of Connecticut. As a result of the sale, the four year old labor strike at Colt ends.

HK and Dynamit Nobel develop an experimental 4.7x25mm caseless cartridge, essentially a short variant of their DM11 caseless rifle cartridge. HK plans to use it for the development of a new PDW project known internally as the NBW (Nahbereichswaffe: Close Range Weapon).

May:AMCCOM awards a $236,000 contract modification to Colt related to the 1967 Licensing Agreement. AMCCOM also awards a $28,000 contract modification related to the M16 and M203.

The International Affairs Division of the Office of the Judge Advocate General issues a legal review of the ACR candidates. All of the rifles are considered to be compliant with the international laws of war.

The military specification for the M200 Blank, MIL-C-60616B(AR), is revised to MIL-C-60616C(AR).

The military specification for 5.56mm Heavy Bullet Reference cartridges, MIL-C-70460A(AR), is amended.

The British MOD introduce a product improvement kit for the L85/L86 family. Changes include a redesigned trigger, cross bolt safety, and a number of other small parts, pins, and assemblies. (However, less than half of weapons will have been upgraded by 1993.)

The British ITDU ends SA80 Hot/Dry Trials at Ascension Island. The MRBS is 260. (Reportedly, the threshold figure was a mere 120 MRBS, with an objective figure of 240 MRBS.)

Two Czech specialists are sent to Rangoon to begin work on the G3 conversion to 5.56mm. They test a pair of G3 already converted by the Burmese. These are found to be lacking in reliability and accuracy. As a result, the Burmese Army decides to have the Czech firm ZVS-VVÚ develop a conversion process. The Czech firm subsequently converts three G3 and completes their testing by the end of the year.

Beta Co. sends an interim report to the British MOD concerning the SA80 and the C-Mag. The MOD indicates that there is no formal requirement for a 100 round magazine, but agrees to loan an additional pair of weapons of the improved design.

AMCCOM awards $8,400,000 and $1,441,000 contract modifications to FNMI for the M16A2.

Colt and ARMS, Inc. sign a non-disclosure agreement relating to their improved flat-top rail design. Oddly, the final design does not match the dimensions of Swan’s earlier rail designed for the Canadians.

Colt’s lawsuit against Daewoo and the South Korean Ministry of National Defense is settled.

With TGZ’s closure in early 2017, Dean encouraged me to find a new home for my scholarship so it wouldn’t be lost in the dustbin of the Internet. Loose Rounds has welcomed me with open arms. In the future, I intend to expand my legacy TGZ articles and add new contributions here at Loose Rounds.